News
Driver licence office graft claims investigated
Allegations of corruption will be investigated against staffers of the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) pending transfers.
The department registers motor vehicles and issues driver licences among other things.
Transport Minister Gamini Lokuge, said accusations against each staffer will be reviewed.
He denied reports that over 600 will be transferred, but said that most are involved in graft.
“We will investigate complaints against each officer and act on it,’’ he said.
Those to be transferred will be moved out along with those due for annual transfers.
The DMT last year came under close scrutiny due to a variety of public complaints.
Meanwhile, on Friday, the Sri Lanka Army started printing driving licences for the DMT.
DMT Commissioner General, Sumith Alahakoon said the army will print licences at the Werahera branch.
The licenses had been printed at a cost of Rs 1,000 each by a private company. But, now the cost is expected to be lower as a part of efforts to reduce government expenditure in the wake of severe financial constraints.
“We have not calculated the cost yet, but it will be definitely cheaper,’’ Mr. Alahakoon said.
Before the coronavirus pandemic, up to 90,000 licenses were printed in a day.